American Handgunner Jul/Aug 2010

GUNNYSACK A Roy Huntington t the SHOT Show early this year, Ed Strange, head honcho at Wicked Grips, showed me some grips that flat stopped me in my tracks. My wife, Suzi, was with me and her eyes lit-up as she looked at the grips, looked at me, looked at Ed, looked at the grips and sort of muttered something. It’s not often Suzi is at a loss for words, but there you go. I’m not sure what magic happens to create this sort of thing, but Ed assures me they begin life as honest wood (Burl things) and then something happens making colors pop and the figure jump out at you, hitting you in the face. These are, simply put, mind-boggling stunners. Ed’s shop, here in the states, creates grips one at a time; and they’re known for pushing the envelope on patterns, designs and “out-there” ideas on materials and craftsmanship. I’ve had the extreme pleasure of seeing many of the shop’s grips and each one, regardless of material or design, stood on its own in every category. From the more mundane materials to handmade Damascus, custom-crafted woods and other exotics, chances are good if you can dream it — and if you can’t, Ed’s team can — they’ll make it for you. Their Web site is worth a trip just to see what they’re doing. WICKED GRIPS — AGAIN They are young, modern and think outside the box, not trapped by tradition or classic looks, even though they can manage some pretty classic looks if they want to. If you have a special project gun, a family heirloom you want to dress up or a daily carry gun you want to gussie-up some (Elmer Keith always said custom grips were like a bit of lipstick on a pretty gal), let Ed and his team make your brain hurt trying to decide just what you want. Or is it need? Probably both. For more info: www.americanhandgunner. com/productindex 94 WWW.AMERICANHANDGUNNER.COM • JULY/AUGUST2010